Sometimes, a good opponent on the other side of the net will bring out the best in a team.
That appeared to be the case on Thursday, Sept. 29, when a 14-5 Sigourney team visited 7-12 Montezuma.
The Savages won the match 3-0, but the Bravettes put together runs of very strong play.
That was especially true in the first set, won 25-23 by the visitors.
The other two scores were 25-19, and 25-12.
Sigourney showed excellent defensive coverage to start the match, and used some cross court serving and accurate attacks to build a 14-11 advantage.
The Bravettes became more aggressive at the net and used a block to tie the set at 14-14.
Montezuma’s Laila Kercheval made it 16-16 with an ace serve into the corner, and gave the Bravettes a 17-6 lead with another ace.
Another strong Kercheval serve put the Savages on the defensive and when they put a pass too close to the net, the Bravettes’ Jadyn Sharer appeared closest to the kill that gave her team an 18-16 lead.
As it turned out, that turned out to be the high water mark for the night for the Bravettes, in terms of score.
Sigourney went on to capture the first set, 25-23.
Montezuma suffered some serve receive problems in the second set, but got them corrected and made some high and good passes that resulted in strong attacks.
Sigourney was up to that challenge, though and got most of them returned. The Savages prevalied, 25-19.
Sigourney’s sideline serving made a big difference in set three, won 25-12 by the Savages.
Sigourney moved to 15-5 with the win, which includes a 5-1 record in South Iowa Cedar League play.
The Bravettes move on at 7-13 and 2-3.
UP NEXT – Montezuma plays at Belle Plaine on Monday, Oct. 3.